Ahh... the stalker.. What's not to love.
Though i never understood why when it DOES have arms (and arm mounted weaponry) it was always depicted as lackig them.
Now, you don't have any rear mounted guns, but those arms can flip. Four Medium Lasers bearing down on a bug that jumped behind you is pretty terrifying in 3025; you can also use the arm-mounted LRMs to lay down fire as you retreat (while the ammo lasts).
Never seen anyone do that before.. most use it to flip the MLs so they can smack a backbiter.
The STK-3H is the first variant that shows up, and it is one that I really dislike. This version removes the two Large Lasers to upgrade the LRM racks from -10s to -20s, while keeping everything else the same. Sounds great, eh? The problem is, they kept the same one ton of ammo per LRM launcher, giving you twelve total salvoes (6 rounds of fire), and then you are looking at having no guns that can hit anything at 10+ hexes.
Agreed. It was a poor redesign. Now had they used that to bump the LRMs to 15 packs, it would have done well imo.
Next up is the STK-4N, debuting in 2876. This model removes one LRM-10 and ammo magazine to increase the heat sinks to 26. Sigh. They couldn't have raised the heat sinks to 25 and given our remaining launcher two tons of ammo? Your long-range firepower is cut in half, and practically, you are now oversinked. LRM plus the twin Large Lasers plus running is 22. Four Mediums plus two SRM-6 plus running is 22. You could add the LRM-10 and be perfectly sinked, but you only started with 12 shots and if you are in SRM/Medium Laser range, then the LRM is probably at or under minimum range.
Never seen this variant used by anyone... i mean anyone!
A strange variant is the STK-4P, showing up in 2998. Basically a complete rebuild, this version masses 75 tons, shedding 10 tons of weight. It has 20 heat sinks, the same 13.5 tons of armor (arranged 35 on the center torso, 25 on the right and left torso, the arms have 23 each, the legs have 26 each, the head has 9, the center torso rear 10, and both rear side torsos 7), and uses an even lighter 225 standard Fusion engine. All for the cost of some internal structure and one LRM launcher (leaving just a ton of ammo, AGAIN!). Otherwise it has the same guns as the -4N.
personally i don't consider that a stalker.. but a stalker jr!
The very first Star League tech version of the Stalker is one that we don't actually see in the game until just recently: the Royal Stalker. This model (the STK-3Fb)
I have used this one myself and love it.. i call it the sniper stalker.
Sarna.net has the STK-3Fk listed as well (EDIT: so does Era Reports: 2750, I'e been told).
Interesting mod.. Not sure if i like dropping 2 SRM 6s for just a pair of streak 2s.. especially with 2 tons of ammo... Heck just 1 would rarely if ever be gone through.
Starting with the STK-5M
like you i never understood putting on a narc for this one, and the most common 'field mod' i saw was dropping One of the 2 additional LRM tons for case..
House Steiner's STK-5S took a different tack.
I think the steiner bro's were smoking some MJ when they made this one..
The next model comes into service in 3062. This is the STK-6M
When the GM allowed, (or whom ever we played with) i always liked to make this one sans ER mediums..
Also debuting in 3062 is the STK-7D.
This one never screamed to me "STALKER BABY!".. not with ER PPCs, standard fair for other assaults.
The STK-8S appears in 3064, and it is VERY different from the classic Stalker.
Different indeed. never used it (as i have yet to play many games set in that time frame), but i wouldn't mind giving it a whirl.
The STK-7C3BS features a plethora of experimental tech.
Ohh.. A stalker actually using C3.. O0
To be fair, in a matchup against an Atlas, you can't forget that the big 100 tonner also happens to have an LRM-20 to play with. If you're going by the Succession Wars standard model. They're not entirely helpless at long range. Both are excellent and well rounded proper assault 'Mechs.
Plus in several one on one engagements i have had using them that AC-20 of the atlas (or gauss rifle if using the variant that mounts it) has usually allowed said atlas to win the day..
Another problem is presence of ECM on the battlefield since 3050s. From lights such as Raven, FS9-S1 Firestarter, Hermes I, Javelin, Scarabus to Heavies. Often very fast and/or jump-capable. And since ECM doeesn't need LOS to function, such 'Mechs are not easy to deal with. They can either jam link between Narced target and LRM-armed 'Mechs or make it so unreliable that it can't be counted on it.
Which is also a downer for artemis OR C3..
But until ECMs became common place, i am surprised there has been only 1 Stalker which mounted C3..